Team Reiter Strong
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Frank Reiter passed away on Tuesday evening, January 25th after suffering from major swelling in his throat. Our family and the community of Joplin has lost a truly good man. He just celebrated his 42nd birthday on January 9.
Frank suffered an episode of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). He had been dealing with this condition, that he inherited from his mother, for 25 years. Most commonly this swelling arose in his hands, feet, intestines and face, but also occasionally in his throat. Unfortunately Friday night's bout started at home and by the point in time the family realized the severity, it was too late. Frank's throat swelled shut and he quickly lost consciousness in front of his wife and his older son. The medics had a difficult time inserting a breathing tube down his swollen throat but were finally able to and he was transported to the hospital. After coding 2 times at the hospital, Frank was stabilized on a ventilator and transferred to the ICU early Saturday morning. Unfortunately, Frank never woke up again. After a multitude of procedures and tests, it was determined that Frank was brain dead. He simply had gone too long without oxygen. We, his family and closest friends, are now grappling to come to terms with a future without Frank, someone who was so full of life to so many...
Frank had many loves in his life. He loved food, he loved cigars & a good fancy beer, he loved political banter. He loved the Raiders, he loved Star Wars (and had a pretty mean Chewbacca impression which he taught to his own little Padawan, Daniel), he loved games that made you think. He loved his German heritage and even hosted his own Oktoberfest for a couple years. Most of all, he loved his wife Carey and his two young sons, 9-year-old Daniel and 4-year-old Ezra. We know he never would've left them if he had a choice. He taught those boys everything he could, taught them that it was cool to be smart and to be passionate about the things that you love. Our hearts ache for the many lessons that will go un-taught.
The family has already dealt with some unfortunate struggles prior to the events of this past week. Frank was laid off of his job of 9 years in May of 2016. Though financially times were tough, this opportunity allowed him to be home with his sons on a daily basis. Frank was a unique father who “got in the trenches” to interact with these boys. He sought to provide a life to them that was cut short from his own. His mother passed when he was 8 years old and his father passed when he was 19 years old. He was happiest doing for others... You could safely bet that he even had the laundry completed and dinner prepared for wife Carey every evening. Ask anyone who knew Frank and they would tell you that Frank without hesitation would give you “the shirt off his back.” Very few people could go through life generating friendships among so many “walks of life” as this great gentleman. To this, many friends and acquaintances have been asking how they can help in this time of grief. The Reiter family is suddenly down to one income earner. Carey would undoubtedly tell you that she just wants the best lives for these 2 boys. With this in mind, please give prayerful thought as to any amount your heart would allow. For those who prefer to contribute something of value directly to the family, you may donate money directly to Carey through her PayPal account [email redacted]. Thank you and God Bless this family in these times of uncertainty.
-Blessed friend Ryan Wiedeman and Sister-in-Law Lisa Peiffer
Frank suffered an episode of Hereditary Angioedema (HAE). He had been dealing with this condition, that he inherited from his mother, for 25 years. Most commonly this swelling arose in his hands, feet, intestines and face, but also occasionally in his throat. Unfortunately Friday night's bout started at home and by the point in time the family realized the severity, it was too late. Frank's throat swelled shut and he quickly lost consciousness in front of his wife and his older son. The medics had a difficult time inserting a breathing tube down his swollen throat but were finally able to and he was transported to the hospital. After coding 2 times at the hospital, Frank was stabilized on a ventilator and transferred to the ICU early Saturday morning. Unfortunately, Frank never woke up again. After a multitude of procedures and tests, it was determined that Frank was brain dead. He simply had gone too long without oxygen. We, his family and closest friends, are now grappling to come to terms with a future without Frank, someone who was so full of life to so many...
Frank had many loves in his life. He loved food, he loved cigars & a good fancy beer, he loved political banter. He loved the Raiders, he loved Star Wars (and had a pretty mean Chewbacca impression which he taught to his own little Padawan, Daniel), he loved games that made you think. He loved his German heritage and even hosted his own Oktoberfest for a couple years. Most of all, he loved his wife Carey and his two young sons, 9-year-old Daniel and 4-year-old Ezra. We know he never would've left them if he had a choice. He taught those boys everything he could, taught them that it was cool to be smart and to be passionate about the things that you love. Our hearts ache for the many lessons that will go un-taught.
The family has already dealt with some unfortunate struggles prior to the events of this past week. Frank was laid off of his job of 9 years in May of 2016. Though financially times were tough, this opportunity allowed him to be home with his sons on a daily basis. Frank was a unique father who “got in the trenches” to interact with these boys. He sought to provide a life to them that was cut short from his own. His mother passed when he was 8 years old and his father passed when he was 19 years old. He was happiest doing for others... You could safely bet that he even had the laundry completed and dinner prepared for wife Carey every evening. Ask anyone who knew Frank and they would tell you that Frank without hesitation would give you “the shirt off his back.” Very few people could go through life generating friendships among so many “walks of life” as this great gentleman. To this, many friends and acquaintances have been asking how they can help in this time of grief. The Reiter family is suddenly down to one income earner. Carey would undoubtedly tell you that she just wants the best lives for these 2 boys. With this in mind, please give prayerful thought as to any amount your heart would allow. For those who prefer to contribute something of value directly to the family, you may donate money directly to Carey through her PayPal account [email redacted]. Thank you and God Bless this family in these times of uncertainty.
-Blessed friend Ryan Wiedeman and Sister-in-Law Lisa Peiffer
Organizer and beneficiary
Lisa Peiffer
Organizer
Joplin, MO
Carey Reiter
Beneficiary
